Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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AN INTEGRATED READER SYSTEM
BACKGROUND
[0001] Tracking and tracing of shipments are becoming
increasingly important worldwide.
Logistics and supply chain management firms are increasingly required to
possess track and trace
capabilities to monitor the movement of each parcel moving from across town to
around the globe. Radio
frequency identification devices (RFID) or RFID tags are increasingly used to
track a large number of
different articles. RFID tags are specially seeing widespread use in shipping
containers to enable logistics
firms to track individual containers as they move through various locations to
the customer.
[0002] Typically, RFID tags on storage containers or transport
units in trucks are tracked and
located by portable or stationary reader/interrogator systems such as hand-
held readers or dock door
portals respectively. However, both hand-held readers and dock door portals
have certain disadvantages.
For example, a hand-held reader may have a limited means of controlling the RE
signal field size in high
inventory areas. The dock door portals are not mobile solutions and cannot be
easily redeployed.
Moreover, in locations such as airports, where the facilities are not owned by
the logistics carriers,
installing fixed infrastructure is not possible. Moreover, hand held readers
require the involvement of a
person who must carry the reader and perform the scan, during which time the
person cannot help with
any loading or unloading activities.
[0003] It is also known that RFID readers can be powered by
means of AC wall adapter
circuits or POE connections whereby power is delivered via a communication
cable. RFID readers consume
power in an idle state as well as when tasked to perform an inventory read
cycle. The reader's antenna
ports can be individually selected and turned on or all turned on
simultaneously. Each option has an
impact on how much power is required to support the load of a read event.
Additionally, when reader's
ports are selected the firmware in the reader directs the transceiver to
rotate through each antenna at a
predetermined rate. This works exceptionally well in achieving the highest
possible read rate
performance, however, this may involve high power consumption. For example,
turning on a single
antenna may require 1.5amps but turning on all four antennas in a reader may
require more power thus
increasing the power consumption.
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[0004] Higher power consumption is a real concern especially
in mobile battery powered
world. Batteries no matter what technology or chemistry do not provide
longevity when abused such as
under deep discharge conditions. Regardless of the type of battery used, there
is a need for understanding
the battery power requirements based on reader demands. Moreover, compliance
of reader designs with
regulatory limits such as only one antenna port can be on at any given time
must also be considered.
[0005] Accordingly, improvements over conventional systems are
needed for portable RFID
reader systems.
SUMMARY
[0006] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic
understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not
an extensive overview,
and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the
scope thereof. Its sole purpose
is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more
detailed description that is
presented later.
[0007] In some embodiments, an integrated reader system may
comprise an RFID reader, a
processor operatively connected to the RFID reader, one or more sensors
including a door sensor
operatively connected to the RFID reader and an energy storage device
operatively connected to the RFID
reader. The energy storage device is configured to independently power the
RFID reader. The RFID reader
is configured to function in one of a first state and a second state based on
detection of different events.
[0008] In some embodiments, the integrated reader system may
be provided in a transport
unit of vehicle for reading RFID tags of items stored in the transport unit.
[0009] In some embodiments, upon detection of movement of a
door of the transport unit
by a door sensor and upon communication of the same to the processor, the RFID
reader is caused to
change its mode of operation from a first state including a low power state to
the second state including
a high power state.
[0010] In some embodiments, upon detection of predetermined
events by the processor,
the RFID reader is caused to change its mode of operation from the first state
including an idle state to a
second state including an active state.
[0011] In some embodiments, upon detection of prohibited
events, the processor is
configured to trigger an alert.
[0012] In some embodiments, the integrated reader system
comprises a charging circuit that
is operatively connected to the energy storage device to charge and recharge
the energy storage device.
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In some embodiments, the charging circuit may be connected to a wiring harness
of a vehicle carrying at
least one transport unit.
[0013] In some em bodiments, the integrated reader system
comprises a camera. The camera
is configured to capture real time images when the doors of the transport unit
are opened and transmits
the real time images to a processor. The processor may trigger an alert when a
prohibited event is
detected and communicated to the processor. In some embodiments, the trigger
for a prohibited event
may go off when movement of a door is detected. In some embodiments, the
trigger for a prohibited
event may go off when a door of the vehicle is left open for a predetermined
amount of time.
[0014] In some embodiments, the integrated reader system
comprises a cellular
communication module. In some embodiments, the cellular communication module
is configured to
communicate real time location of the transport unit with the processor.
[0015] In some embodiments, the integrated reader system is
secured in a mounting tray
covered with a lid.
[0016] In some embodiments, the integrated reader system is
secured to opposite walls of
the transport unit, just below a ceiling of the transport unit.
[0017] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related
ends, certain illustrative aspects
of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the
following description and the
annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the
various ways in which the
principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all
such aspects and their
equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the
following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an integrated
reader system in accordance with
some embodiments.
[0019] Fig. 2A illustrates a rear view of a vehicle comprising
a transport unit in a closed state
in accordance with some embodiments.
[0020] Fig. 2B illustrates a rear view of a vehicle comprising
a transport unit in an open state
in accordance with some embodiments.
[0021] Fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a mounting
tray adapted to secure an
integrated reader system in accordance with some embodiments.
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[0022] Fig. 3B illustrates a perspective view of a mounting
tray with a lid adapted to secure
an integrated reader system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0023] Fig. 3C illustrates a perspective view of a mounting
tray assembly adapted to be
secured to a portion of a transport unit of a vehicle in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0024] Fig.3D illustrates a front perspective view of a
telescoping tube as inserted in a fixed
support structure in accordance with some embodiments.
[0025] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer
system in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0026] Fig. 5 are illustrative diagrams of computer program
products in accordance with
some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The innovation is now described with reference to the
drawings, wherein like
reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the
following description, for
purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough
understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be
practiced without these
specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are
shown in block diagram form in
order to facilitate a description thereof. The terms "one or more of a, b, and
c", "at least one of a, b, and
c", and "at least one of a, b, or c" are intended to refer to a, b, c, or
combinations thereof including 1) one
or multiple of a and one or multiple of b, 2) one or multiple of b and one or
multiple of c, 3) one or multiple
of a and one or multiple of c, 4) one or multiple of a, 5) one or multiple of
b, or 6) one or multiple of c.
[0028] In some embodiments, an integrated reader system is
provided for reading radio
frequency identification (RFID) tags. In some embodiments, the reader system
comprises a reader that
continuously/non-continuously monitors an area within a transport unit of a
vehicle. In some
embodiments, the transport unit is a trailer of the vehicle. In some
embodiment, the transport unit may
be permanently attached to the vehicle and in other embodiments the transport
unit may be detachably
attached to the transport unit. The transport unit may have doors, and the
area or parts being monitored
may include the doors of the transport unit. In some embodiments, the door may
be a split swinging door.
In other embodiments, the door may be a roll up door. In some embodiments, the
transport unit may be
accessed via the doors disposed at a rear of the vehicle. In other
embodiments, the transport unit may be
accessed via the doors disposed at one or both sides of the vehicle. In some
other embodiments, the
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transport unit may be accessed through both the doors disposed at the rear of
the vehicle and through
the doors disposed at the sides of the vehicle.
[0029] According to an aspect of the present subject matter,
the vehicle comprising the
transport unit is adapted to hold one or more pallets or parcels; at least an
RFID tag positioned on each
of said pallets, or parcels. The vehicle is provided with an integrated reader
system configured to read
the RFID tags. In some embodiments, the pallets or parcels may be tagged with
both a barcode and an
RFID tag.
[0030] In some embodiments such as shown in Fig. 1, an
integrated reader system 100
comprises one or more of any of a reader 101, a processor 102, an energy
storage device 103, one or
more sensors 104, a cellular communication module 105, and a camera 106. In
some embodiments, the
reader 101 is operatively connected to the energy storage device 103 via a
relay circuit R comprising a
fuse 107, a switch 108 and a relay unit 110. In some embodiments, the reader
101 is a micro reader. In
various embodiments, the sensors 104 may be configured to measure one or more
of any of the following
parameters: temperature, resistance, capacitance, conduction, voltage,
acceleration, infrared, light, or
ultrasound. For example, the sensors may include one or more of any of the
following: temperature
sensors, proximity sensors, contact sensors, pressure sensors, smoke sensors,
gas sensors, liquid sensors,
position sensors, magnetic sensors, tilt sensors, flow sensors, level sensors,
touch sensors, strain sensors,
or weight sensors.
[0031] In some embodiments, the energy storage device 103 is
an on-board battery pack
built into a main housing of the transport unit. The battery pack may be
recharged by one or more means
to maintain the battery capacity level.
[0032] For example, in some embodiments, the energy storage
device 103 is connected to a
charging circuit (not shown). The charging circuit may comprise one of a solar
cell or a motor generator.
In some embodiments, the charging circuit may be functionally connected to a
wiring harness of the
vehicle. Connection to an independent rechargeable energy storage device 103
allows the reader 101 to
read at any time, including during a partial delivery.
[0033] In some embodiments, the energy storage device 103 such
as the on-board battery
pack may be connected to a remote battery unit provided in the transport unit
and may be charged by
the remote battery unit. The battery capacity of the on-board battery pack is
maintained by DC-DC
charging from the remote battery unit. The remote battery unit is recharged
when the transport unit is
connected/ attached to the vehicle. Presence of both the on-board battery pack
and the remote battery
unit are especially useful in vehicles where the transport unit is detachable
from the rest of the vehicle.
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In other words, presence of the on-board battery pack and the remote battery
unit allows the reader 101
of the integrated reader system 100 to be charged even when the transport unit
is detached from the
vehicle, thereby allowing the reader 101 to perform reading even the transport
unit is detached from the
vehicle.
[0034] In some embodiments, the energy storage device 103 such
as the on-board battery
pack may be connected to a power unit (not shown) in the vehicle, the power
unit being used to supply
power to electrical components of the vehicle including electrically
powered/hydraulic doors or shutters
of the vehicle. Thus, an existing power source can be used to charge the on-
board battery pack and the
on-board battery pack can in turn charge or otherwise power the reader 101.
[0035] According to an aspect of the present subject matter,
the integrated reader system
100 is configured to control reading performed by the reader 101 based on
different operating conditions
in the vehicle. For example, in some embodiments, the reading performed by the
reader 101 is controlled
based on opening or closing of the doors of the vehicle. For example, the one
or more readers 101 may
be operatively connected to one or more sensors 104, such as a door sensor
104a.
[0036] In some embodiments, the door sensor 104a is
communicatively connected to the
reader 101 via the relay unit 110. Thus, the door sensor 104a is configured to
activate the reader 101
based on position and/or movement of the doors 202, such as whenever the doors
202 (shown in Fig. 2a)
of a transport unit 201 of a vehicle 200 (shown in Fig. 2a) are opened or
closed. For example, the door
sensor 104a may enable the reader 101 to identify any nefarious or normal
activity that may be attempted
with the contents of the transport unit 201. The reader 101 being
communicatively connected to the door
sensor 1042 also ensures that the reader 101 is switched ON and OFF when the
doors 202 open and close
respectively, thereby ensuring for some embodiments that there is optimal use
of power from the energy
storage device 103. In some embodiments, based on the detection of movement of
doors 202, the reader
101 is caused to change its mode of operation. For example, based on door
movement, the door sensor
may trigger operation of the reader 101 to move from a low power state to a
higher power state or vice
versa, from a higher power state to a low power state.
[0037] Power states may include one or more of the following,
which for some embodiments
may represent a sequence of states going from lower to higher power: off,
sleep, idle, lower frequency
checking, higher frequency checking, low power on, or higher power on. In an
off state, the system may
be turned off with no power being drawn from power sources. In a sleep state,
most power systems may
be turned off, but power may continue to be supplied to the processor to allow
it to turn other systems
back on when needed. In an idle state, one or more sensors 104 may be turned
on while the reader 101
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is off or at a low power state. In a lower frequency checking state, the
reader 101 may be turned on
periodically such as once a day, every six hours, every three hours, every
hour, every 15 minutes, every
minutes, every 5 minutes, every minute, or at a lower or higher frequency. The
duration of being
powered for the reader 101 may be for 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 1 minute, 30
seconds, 20 seconds, 10
seconds, 5 seconds, 1 second, SOO milliseconds, 250 milliseconds, 100
milliseconds, 10 milliseconds, 1
millisecond, or lower or higher durations. The higher frequency checking state
may have one or both of a
higher frequency or a longer duration than the lower frequency state. In some
embodiments, there may
be multiple levels of one or both of lower frequency checking states and
higher frequency checking states.
During a low power on state, the reader 101 may have a lower power read
setting that may be able to
detect non-blocked RFID chips between the reader 101 and the opposite boundary
of a storage container,
such as a floor. In a higher power on state, the reader 101 may be set at a
power level that permits greater
range and reflections from surfaces within a storage container or transport
unit that will more reliably
detect RFID tags that are hidden or partially or completely blocked from the
reader 101.
[0038] In some embodiments, the higher power setting will use
more power than other
settings. In some embodiments, the higher power setting may be triggered to
turn on after detection of
an RFID tag that is unexpected, such as during a storage time period, during
shipment, and/or during non-
business hours. Detection of an RFID tag during an unexpected time period may
be an indication of
movement of packages that is not desired, damage to boxes holding RFID tagged
items, theft of an RFID
tagged item, unauthorized movement of packages, or other issues. Moving to a
higher power setting may
allow detection of all items being stolen, whether their tags are partially
blocked or not, a full or more full
inventory of the items within the container, trailer, transport unit, or other
storage location.
[0039] In some embodiments, the reader 101 is communicatively
connected to the one or
more sensors 104 comprising a trigger sensor, such as one or more motion
sensors 104b and/or any other
sensors of interest. In some embodiments, the trigger sensor, such as a motion
sensor 104b is configured
to trigger the RFID reader 101 to come out of an idle state after either
detecting something such as motion
and/or after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed. For example, even
though the RFID reader 101
may be communicatively connected to the door sensor 104a via the relay unit
110, the reader 101 may
be configured to go into an idle state if the door sensor 104a is inactive for
long durations when the doors
of the transport unit are left open and/or after the number of RFID tag
detections has fallen below a
threshold. For example, the predetermined amount of time may be 1 minute, 2
minutes, 3 minutes, 5
minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, or longer or shorter
durations. The trigger sensor, such
as the motion sensor 104b, may be configured to activate the RFID reader 101
from such an idle state if
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the trigger sensor detects activity and/or after a long duration of
inactivity. In some embodiments, a timer
circuit (not shown) may be operatively connected between the RFID reader 101
and the motion sensor
104a in order to activate the RFID reader 101.
[0040] In some embodiments, the cellular communication module
105 communicates to the
processor 102 a real time location. For example, the cellular communication
module 105 may be used to
communicate to the processor 102 various operating parameters that can
reconfigure operation of the
system. For example, the processor 102 may be configured via the cellular
communication module 105 to
have one or more real-time locations of the places where the doors of the
transport, storage, and/or
shipping unit may be opened and/or times and/or dates when the doors may be
opened. The cellular
communication module 105 communicatively connected to the processor 102 is
independent of any other
cellular service that may be present on-board the vehicle.
[0041] In some embodiments, the integrated reader system 100
comprises a camera 106. In
some embodiments, the camera 106 is configured to capture real time images
and/or transmit the real
time images to the processor 102 and/or to a server under certain conditions.
The processor 102 may
trigger an alert and/or record an image and/or video when an event, such as a
prohibited, scheduled,
predetermined, allowed, or unexpected event is detected through one or more
components of the
system. In some embodiments, the trigger for an event may include when
movement of a door is
detected. In some embodiments, the trigger for an event may be when a door of
the vehicle is left open
for a predetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, an event may include
when one of the
sensors 104 or the reader 101 detects a change in conditions in or around a
transport unit 201, such as
with respect to detection of movement, reduced light to a light sensor,
acceleration above a threshold
limit, changes in temperature above or below a threshold, detection of an RFID
tag, failure to detect an
RFID tag, detection of liquid that might be part of a leak, and other possible
incidents.
[0042] Fig. 2A is a rear view of a vehicle 200 having a
transport unit 201. In some
embodiments, the vehicle 200 is a tractor having a trailer with doors 202. In
some embodiments, the
transport unit 201 may include a detachable trailer with doors. In other
embodiments, the transport unit
201 may include an attached trailer or a combination of an attached and a
detachable trailer. In some
embodiments, the transport unit 201 may be used as a carriage unit for the
transportation or storage of
goods including loaded or unloaded goods such as cans, metal sheets, vessels,
vehicles, aircrafts, cartons
or any other goods or equipment. In some embodiments, the transport unit 201
may be transported by
truck, train, container vessel, or by plane. In some embodiments, the
transport unit 201 may be
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[0043] In some embodiments and as may be seen in Fig. 2B, the
integrated reader system
100 comprises one or more antennas 109 operatively connected to the energy
storage device 103 (shown
in Fig. 1), and communicatively connected to the RFID reader 101. In some
embodiments, the one or
more antennas 109 may be disposed on one or more side walls 204 of the
transport unit 201. In other
embodiments, at least one of the one or more antennas 109 may be disposed
along a center line of the
transport unit 202, along a roof, ceiling, or floor of the transport unit 201.
Presence of multiple antennas
may enable better reading of the contents of the transport unit 201.
[0044] Fig. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a mounting
tray 300 adapted to secure the
integrated reader system 100. In some embodiments, various components of the
reader system 100 are
disposed along a length of an inner surface 301 of the mounting tray 300. The
mounting tray 300 may be
made of a material selected from a metal, an alloy or a polymer. In some
embodiments, the mounting
tray 300 receives/accommodates the energy storage device 103, the one or more
antennas 109, the RFID
reader 101 and the communication module 105.
[0045] As shown in Fig. 3B, the mounting tray 300 is adapted
to be covered by a lid 302. In
some embodiments, lid flanges 302a are fastened to tray flanges 301a (shown in
Fig.3A). In some
embodiments, the lid flanges 302a are permanently secured to the tray flanges
301a.
[0046] In some embodiments and as shown in Fig.3C, the
mounting tray 300 along with the
lid 302 is secured to at least one or a pair of extendable struts 303. In some
embodiments, the extendable
strut is a telescoping tubes, a collapsible bar, or a fixed beam that may be
shifted in position relative to
the support structure 305. For example, in some embodiments as shown in
Fig.3C, the pair of extendable
struts 303 may be provided as independent elongated tubes spanning the length
of the transport unit.
However, in some embodiments and as illustrated in Fig.3D, one end of the pair
of extendable struts 303
may be inserted into at least one fixed support structure 305 provided in the
transport unit. The geometry
and construction of the fixed support structure 305 can vary based on the
shape and dimensions of the
transport unit. In some embodiments, one or more of the extendable struts 303
is sleeved over the
corresponding support structure 305 or vice versa, the support structure 305
is sleeved over the
corresponding extendable strut 303. In some embodiments, two oppositely
directed extendable struts
303 may be sleeved over by the same support structure 305 formed as a hollow
tube. In some
embodiments, two oppositely directed extendable struts 303 may be sleeved one
over the other such
that each of the extendable struts 303 may have the same or a slightly shorter
length than the support
structure 305 that it is stored within, allowing the extendable struts 303 to
extend farther while still being
sleeved within a single hollow interior of a support structure 305 formed as a
tube. In some embodiments,
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each extendable strut 303 has its own support structure 305, and two or more
support structures 305
may be mounted at each of two opposite sides of the mounting tray 300.
[0047] In some embodiments, the mounting tray 300 along with
the lid 302 is bolted or
otherwise secured to sides of each telescoping tube to form an assembly. Each
telescoping tube of the
pair of extendable struts 303 comprises a front mounting flange 304F and a
rear mounting flange 304R.
In some embodiments, the front mounting flange 304F and the rear mounting
flange 304R are firstly
secured to opposite walls of the transport unit, followed by securing the
mounting tray 300 to the pair of
extendable struts 303. In some embodiments, the opposite walls of the
transport unit include the side
walls of the transport unit.
[0048] In some embodiments, the system includes mounting
flanges 306 disposed at
opposite sides of an end of a support strut 303. In some embodiments, the
mounting flanges are rotatable
to allow securing to a wall or ceiling.
[0049]
[0050] In some embodiments, the mounting tray assembly 350 is
secured to the walls of the
transport unit in a manner such that the reader system 100 is disposed just
below a ceiling of the transport
unit. In some embodiments, the mounting tray assembly 350 is secured to the
walls of the transport unit
in a manner such that the integrated reader system 100 is disposed along a
length of the transport unit
201. In some embodiments, the mounting tray assembly 350 is secured to the
walls of the transport unit
201 in a manner such that the integrated reader system 100 is disposed along a
width of the transport
unit. In some embodiments, the mounting tray assembly 350 is secured to the
walls of the transport unit
in a manner such that the integrated reader system 100 substantially overlaps
a storage area of the
transport unit.
[0051] The construction of the telescoping tubes is not
limited to the description.
Exemplary Computer System
[0052] A block diagram depicting an example of a system (i.e., computer system
400) that may
be used to process signals and/or perform operations described in this
disclosure is provided in Fig. 4. The
computer system 400 is configured to perform calculations, processes,
operations, and/or functions
associated with a program or algorithm. In one aspect, certain processes and
steps discussed herein are
realized as a series of instructions (e.g., software program) that reside
within computer readable memory
units and are executed by one or more processors of the computer system 400.
When executed, the
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instructions cause the computer system 400 to perform specific actions and
exhibit specific behavior, such
as described herein.
[0053] The computer system 400 may include an address/data bus 402 that is
configured to
communicate information. Additionally, one or more data processing units, such
as a processor 404 (or
processors), are coupled with the address/data bus 402. The processor 404 is
configured to process
information and instructions. In an aspect, the processor 404 is a
microprocessor. Alternatively, the
processor 404 may be a different type of processor such as a parallel
processor, application-specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic array (PLA), complex
programmable logic device (CPLD), or
a field programmable gate array (FPGA).
[0054] The computer system 400 is configured to utilize one or more data
storage units. The
computer system 400 may include a volatile memory unit 406 (e.g., random
access memory ("RAM"),
static RAM, dynamic RAM, etc.) coupled with the address/data bus 402, wherein
a volatile memory unit
406 is configured to store information and instructions for the processor 404.
The computer system 400
further may include a non-volatile memory unit 408 (e.g., read-only memory
("ROM"), programmable
ROM ("PROM"), erasable programmable ROM ("EPROM"), electrically erasable
programmable ROM
"[EPROM"), flash memory, etc.) coupled with the address/data bus 402, wherein
the non-volatile memory
unit 408 is configured to store static information and instructions for the
processor 404. Alternatively, the
computer system 400 may execute instructions retrieved from an online data
storage unit such as in
"Cloud" computing. In an aspect, the computer system 400 also may include one
or more interfaces, such
as an interface 410, coupled with the address/data bus 402. The one or more
interfaces are configured to
enable the computer system 400 to interface with other electronic devices and
computer systems. The
communication interfaces implemented by the one or more interfaces may include
wireline (e.g., serial
cables, modems, network adaptors, etc.) and/or wireless (e.g., wireless
modems, wireless network
adaptors, etc.) communication technology.
[0055] In one aspect, the computer system 400 may include an input device 412
coupled with
the address/data bus 402, wherein the input device 412 is configured to
communicate information and
command selections to the processor 100. In accordance with one aspect, the
input device 412 is an
alphanumeric input device, such as a keyboard, that may include alphanumeric
and/or function keys.
Alternatively, the input device 412 may be an input device other than an
alphanumeric input device. In an
aspect, the computer system 400 may include a cursor control device 414
coupled with the address/data
bus 402, wherein the cursor control device 414 is configured to communicate
user input information
and/or command selections to the processor 100. In an aspect, the cursor
control device 414 is
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implemented using a device such as a mouse, a track-ball, a track-pad, an
optical tracking device, or a
touch screen. The foregoing notwithstanding, in an aspect, the cursor control
device 414 is directed
and/or activated via input from the input device 412, such as in response to
the use of special keys and
key sequence commands associated with the input device 412. In an alternative
aspect, the cursor control
device 414 is configured to be directed or guided by voice commands.
[0056] In an aspect, the computer system 400 further may include one or more
optional
computer usable data storage devices, such as a storage device 416, coupled
with the address/data bus
402. The storage device 416 is configured to store information and/or computer
executable instructions.
In one aspect, the storage device 416 is a storage device such as a magnetic
or optical disk drive (e.g., hard
disk drive ("HDD"), floppy diskette, compact disk read only memory ("CD-ROM"),
digital versatile disk
("DVD")). Pursuant to one aspect, a display device 418 is coupled with the
address/data bus 402, wherein
the display device 418 is configured to display video and/or graphics. In an
aspect, the display device 418
may include a cathode ray tube (ow), liquid crystal display ("LCD"), field
emission display ("FED"), Light
Emitting Diode ("LED)", plasma display, or any other display device suitable
for displaying video and/or
graphic images and alphanumeric characters recognizable to a user.
[0057] The computer system 400 presented herein is an example computing
environment in
accordance with an aspect. However, the non-limiting example of the computer
system 400 is not strictly
limited to being a computer system. For example, an aspect provides that the
computer system 400
represents a type of data processing analysis that may be used in accordance
with various aspects
described herein. Moreover, other computing systems may also be implemented.
Indeed, the spirit and
scope of the present technology is not limited to any single data processing
environment. Thus, in an
aspect, one or more operations of various aspects of the present technology
are controlled or
implemented using computer-executable instructions, such as program modules,
being executed by a
computer. In one implementation, such program modules include routines,
programs, objects,
components and/or data structures that are configured to perform particular
tasks or implement
particular abstract data types. In addition, an aspect provides that one or
more aspects of the present
technology are implemented by utilizing one or more distributed computing
environments, such as where
tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a
communications network, or
such as where various program modules are located in both local and remote
computer-storage media
including memory-storage devices.
[0058] An illustrative diagram of a computer program product (i.e., storage
device) is depicted
in Fig. 5. The computer program product is depicted as floppy disk 500 or an
optical disk 502 such as a CD
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PCT/US2022/081829
or DVD. However, as mentioned previously, the computer program product
generally represents
computer-readable instructions stored on any compatible non-transitory
computer-readable medium.
The term "instructions" as used with respect to this invention generally
indicates a set of operations to be
performed on a computer, and may represent pieces of a whole program or
individual, separable,
software modules. Non-limiting examples of "instruction" include computer
program code (source or
object code) and "hard-coded" electronics (i.e. computer operations coded into
a computer chip). The
"instruction" is stored on any non-transitory computer-readable medium, such
as in the memory of a
computer or on a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, and a flash drive. In either event,
the instructions are encoded
on a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
[0059] What has been described above includes examples of the
claimed subject matter. It
may be, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of
components or
methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one
of ordinary skill in the art
may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed
subject matter are
possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter may be intended to embrace
all such alterations,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the
appended claims. Furthermore, to
the extent that the term "includes" is used in either the detailed description
or the claims, such term is
intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as
"comprising" is interpreted when
employed as a transitional word in a claim.
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